NCDC: Lassa Fever Kills 151 People in 17 Weeks
There are no less than 723 cases that are being managed at the case management centre for the Lassa fever disease. The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) has disclosed that the death toll from this disease is still rising as Nigeria has already reported 151 deaths. Twenty-three states have also reported confirmed cases of the disease.
This information was released on its website during this Sunday’s Lassa fever situation report.
Ever since the last Lassa fever outbreak in 2016, the NCDC has explained that there had been an increase in the number of recurring cases. In 2019, the NCDC pointed out that 796 cases were reported, while in 2020, 1,165 cases were confirmed during the height of the pandemic.
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The NCDC also confirmed that there had been a total of 4,632 suspected cases in 2021. The centre stated that, “So far in 2022, 151 people have lost their lives; the highest deaths reported in four years. Cumulatively, from week 1 to week 17 in 2022, 151 deaths have been reported with a case fatality rate of 19.6%.”
“In total, for 2022, 23 states have recorded at least one confirmed case across 95 local government areas. Of all confirmed cases, 68% are from states namely, Ondo (28 %), Edo (25%) and Bauchi (15%). The predominant age-group affected is 21-30 years (range:1 to 80 years, median age: 30 years). The number of suspected cases has increased compared to that reported for the same period in 2021.”
The NCDC also noted that while 51 health workers have been affected, 723 persons have been hospitalised.
“The Federal Ministry of Environment is also implementing a Lassa fever environmental response campaign in high burden states. Lassa fever presents initially like any other febrile illness such as malaria. Its symptoms include fever, headache, sore throat, general body weakness, cough, nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, muscle pains, chest pain, and in severe cases, unexplainable bleeding from ears, eyes, nose, mouth, and other body areas. The time between infection and appearance of symptoms of the disease ranges from three to twenty-one days. Early treatment and diagnosis increase the chances of survival.”
